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The former Everton defender told the Liverpool Echo in his column: "With Everton being battered at Arsenal, Ademola Lookman's dramatic winner for RB Leipzig came at the worst possible time for the Blues.

"Lookman is a crowd favourite despite not being a regular. We have seen glimpses, and it's clear he could become a good player.

"I can understand why Sam Allardyce wanted the player to go to Derby County on loan. Everton could have kept a close eye on him there.

"But with player agents having contacts all Europe, things have changed.

Everton's Ademola Lookman (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

"I'm not sure what's come up for Lookman to chance his arm at Leipzig, where he knows he won't be first choice. It was a strange one.

"However, you have to admire him in the sense it's quite a brave move. Plenty of young kids would have taken an easier option, whereas this is a bit more of a challenge.

"I spoke to the player and we'd agreed everything with Everton," Rowett said.

"The only reason I mention Lookman is because it has been well-documented. I think Sam (Everton manager Sam Allardyce) has said that their preference was for the player to come to ourselves, but the preference of the agent and the player was to go to Red Bull, which you can understand because it is obviously a very good club in the top four of the Bundesliga."

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